Buckden Rake, Cray and Yockenthwaite.
Start. Buckden.
Route. Buckden - Buckden Rake - Cray - Hay Close - Scar House - Little House - Yockenthwaite - River Wharfe - Hubberholme - Dubb's Lane - Buckden Bridge - Buckden.
Notes. Our third walk in Wharfedale took us to the head of the valley on a route that included a short section of Roman road, the tiny hamlet of Cray, Yockenthwaite, Hubberholme and a peek at the mice. The highlight, a long traverse across the head of the valley on a wonderful level footpath, striding out along the 1,150ft contour, a wonderful limestone shelf assisting our progress.
Our route left the car park at Buckden ascending a section of Roman road through Rakes Wood, at the brow of the hill the path now known as Buckden Rake lead along the edge of a wall before a junction allowed a steep descent to the tiny farming hamlet of Cray, dominating the village the White Lion Inn. The path ascended behind the pub before reaching a vast limestone shelf, striding out above Todd's Wood and Hubberholme Wood we soon reached Scar House. The next section of path is known locally as the Postman's Walk, it traverses above Rais Wood and Strans Wood passing through lots of small fields before descending to Yockenthwaite on the banks of the infant River Wharfe.
Following the Dales Way along the bank of the river we soon reached the George Inn at Hubberholme, time for refreshments. After lunch it was time for a mouse hunt, more about that later. Mice in the bag we followed Dubb's Lane before a footpath lead back to the river once more, a short stroll along field paths before stepping onto tarmac at Buckden Bridge, up the hill Buckden and the car patiently waited our return.
Ascending Buckden Rake looking to the head of Wharfedale.
Sunlight catches the slopes of Old Cote Moor, seen over the car park Buckden.
Looking to Chapel Moor above the head of Wharfedale.
The scene over Wharfedale from the Roman road ascending through Rakes Wood.
Walkers stride out along Buckden Rake while Sue struggles to open the gate, how's that for a gate post.
A dark shadow on Horse Head Moor, our route above the woods across the valley can clearly be seen.
Rising above Wharfedale in sunlight and shade Old Cote Moor.
A hail shower sweeps down Langstrothdale.
Sue in action fording Cray Gill.
Leaving Cray looking to Buckden Pike.
Viewing Buckden Pike over ancient woodland of ash, hawthorne and hazel.
I don't usually use guide books, today I made an exception, the book calls this path the Gallery Path, you certainly get a great view down Wharfedale from this gallery.
Horse Head Moor looms above Hubberholme Wood.
Below us Wharfedale stretches to the south.
The infant River Wharfe below Yockenthwaite.
Buckden Pike seen from the banks of the river.
I mentioned a mouse hunt earlier, it started here, the Church of St Michael and All Angels at Hubberholme, a kirk has stood on this land since 1150, the present building dates from the 14th century, the mice arrived 1934, lots of them.
The oak furniture in the church was supplied by Robert Thompson "The Mouseman of Kilburn" master craftsman, most of the pews bare his trademark a small carved mouse.
Strolling through the fields just off Dubb's Lane looking to the Nab End face of Buckden Pike.